Request for Applications Editor-in-Chief, Western Hemisphere Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Transcription

1 Request for Applications Editor-in-Chief, Western Hemisphere Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) requests qualified members of the Society to apply for the position of Editor-In-Chief, Western Hemisphere, for the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (JPGN) for the period of January 1, 2016 to December 31, The due date for this application is March 15, The editor s term is 5 years. Near the end of the five year term, a competitive application process will select the next editor. No editor can serve more than two consecutive terms (10 years total). JPGN is the official publication of NASPGHAN and the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). In 1999, the two Societies and the Publisher, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (now replaced by Wolters Kluwer [WK]), entered into an agreement with the Asian Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (APPSPGAN) and the Latin American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (LASPGHAN) to have the journal become the official publication of these societies. Thus, JPGN is the premier international peer-reviewed journal for the field of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. Brief Overview of Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition JPGN was founded by Dr. Emmanuel Lebenthal in conjunction with Raven Press in In 1991, NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN officially became joint sponsors of the journal. Those who have served as NASPGHAN editors of the Journal since Dr. Lebenthal are listed in the table below. Editor Year Melvin Heyman, MD, MPH Eric Sibley, MD PhD Judith Sondheimer, MD Allan Walker, MD, PhD William Balistreri, MD Effective January 2007, ownership of the journal and copyright on subsequently published issues was transferred to NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins will remain the publisher through December 31, A formal process for contract renewal or selection of new publisher is underway. ESPGHAN selects the Eastern Hemisphere editor, and NASGPHAN selects the Western Hemisphere editor. The Western Hemisphere editor is responsible for overseeing peer-review and selection of manuscripts submitted from authors in the Western Hemisphere, and inviting 1

2 review articles and other special contributions to the journal. The Western Hemisphere editor also coordinates production of each issue with the Eastern Hemisphere editor. The Western Hemisphere manuscripts are submitted through Editorial Manager, an electronic manuscript tracking system, for intake, distribution for peer-review, and adjudication of acceptability for publication. The journal publishes original articles, special reports, guidelines, commentaries, review articles, rapid communications, case reports, letters to the editor, and news and views on all aspects of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. At present the journal consists of 128 pages per issue, and is published 12 times per year. JPGN impact factors for the past 5 years are tabulated below. Impact Factor: Citations Articles Impact Factor Category Ranking: Category Gastroenterology & Hepatology 32/66 37/72 39/74 39/74 29/74 Nutrition & Dietetics 28/66 34/70 31/74 37/76 29/78 Pediatrics 23/94 29/109 27/115 31/122 16/117 JPGN is available as an institutional electronic subscription through Ovid, and receives approximately 23,000 full text article views per month. JPGN has a dedicated website at jpgn.org, which receives approximately 35,000 visits per month, and a dedicated ipad app. JPGN is also available to countries in the developing world through HINARI, a program developed by the World Health Organization to allow countries with limited resources access to biomedical information. Roles and Responsibilities of the Western Hemisphere Editor An editorial office is established at the editor s institution with financial support from NASPGHAN. In 2015, for example, approximately $30,000 is being provided by NASPGHAN for the functions necessary to ensure timely review of submitted manuscripts, communication with authors, reviewers and the publisher, and the other miscellaneous activities of the editorial office. Currently, WK provides a coordinating editor responsible for maintaining the manuscript submission and peer review process. The editor will prepare written semi-annual reports for review at NASPGHAN Executive Council and Publications Committee meetings in the spring and autumn. The editor will meet with members of the NASPGHAN Publications Committee and the Joint (NASPGHAN/ESPGHAN) 2

3 JPGN Committee as necessary. The editor may be invited to NASPGHAN Leadership Retreats and strategic planning meetings. The editor s primary responsibility is to oversee scientific and clinical content of the JPGN, to ensure that peer review of manuscripts is fair and timely, and to assure the efficient functioning of the editorial office. The editor must work closely with the Eastern Hemisphere editor to coordinate scientific direction and content (the current Eastern Hemisphere editor, Dr. Hania Szajewska). The Western Hemisphere editor is the sole and final authority over all decisions regarding the acceptance or rejections of manuscripts submitted to the Western Hemisphere editorial office for publication. It is also the responsibility of the editor to encourage solicitation of high quality manuscripts, to assist in maintaining the ethical and fiscal integrity of JPGN, and to increase the readership and impact factor in collaboration with the publisher. The editor should be an active member of NASPGHAN, as the journal is a key vehicle for disseminating information about our society s activities. The editor must act in accordance with the ethical guidelines of NASPGHAN and the JPGN, as determined by the NASPGHAN ethics committee, and JPGN publications committee. Specific responsibilities of the editor include oversight of an orderly, efficient and timely intake, peer-review and approval of submitted manuscripts with highly effective communication to all relevant stakeholders. The specific nature of associate editors involvement occurs at the discretion of the editor. Frequent face-to-face, telephone or electronic communication between the editor and associate editors is encouraged. The editor is responsible for the operational and fiscal management of the editorial office. The editor is also encouraged to work with representatives for the APPSGHAN and LASPGHAN to encourage submission of manuscripts from members of those Societies. Each month the NASPGHAN Editor in coordination with the coordinating editor (currently at WK) also assesses the accepted manuscripts to develop a line-up for upcoming issues, typically with a deadline about two months prior to publication. A summary of the articles in the lineup, currently written by the editor, is now included for publication in the issue s table of contents. The Western Hemisphere editor of JPGN is appointed by agreement between the Executive Council of NASPGHAN, from applicants solicited by the Publications Committee of NASPGHAN. The editor will appoint or re-appoint an editorial board, consisting of up to 10 members of NASPGHAN. Candidate editorial board members will are also suggested by the Executive Councils of the APPSGHAN and LASPGHAN. Western Hemisphere associate editors must be approved by the NASPGHAN Publications Committee. The activities of the journal are overseen by the NASPGHAN Publications Committee, which consists of senior members of the Society. This committee coordinates the relationship between NASPGHAN, JPGN, and the publisher. The Publications Committee does not influence the editorial content, but is responsible to the Executive Council for assuring that the journal operates in an efficient fashion. 3

4 Requirements for the Position of Editor of JPGN The editor must be an active NASPGHAN member with a sustained record of scientific achievement and publication in the field of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, or nutrition. The editor must possess a deep understanding of medical, scientific, and ethical publication issues and processes, high quality writing and editing skills, and the capacity to devote adequate time and energy to this project over the 5 year term of appointment (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020). The editor will be named approximately nine months in advance of the start date to insure a smooth transition with Melvin Heyman, MD, the current Western Hemisphere editor. Application Process Applicants should submit the following materials in the order specified to the NASPGHAN National Office by March 31, Applications should be single spaced using a comfortably legible font size. Suggested page lengths are approximate only. 1. A brief cover letter. 2. An up-to-date, detailed curriculum vitae 3. An assessment of JPGN s mission (approximately one-half page) 4. A critique of the existing journal format and content, emphasizing strengths and weakness (approximately one page) 5. A vision statement for the future of JPGN in an increasingly sophisticated and interactive electronic era, including potential new initiatives and planned changes that will enhance overall quality, readership numbers reputation and impact factor (approximately 2 to 4 pages) 6. A conflict of interest and disclosure statement as outlined in the NASPGHAN policy documents: NASPGHAN Policy on Resolution of Conflict of Interest for Officers and Committees (revised Feb 2007) Flowchart for Resolution of Conflicts of Interest (adopted September 2008) NASPGHAN Policy on Ethics in Journalism. (adopted October 2005) 7. A brief business or work-flow plan for journal operations and how communications will be coordinated with the editorial board, the publisher, the Eastern Hemisphere editor, and NASPGHAN (one to two pages). A list of proposed associate editors, their qualifications, and their roles (approximately one page) 8. Additional supportive information to strengthen the application (approximately 2-3 pages) 9. A department chair s (or similar institutional official) letter of commitment and support of time and space for JPGN activities. The application should be submitted by on or before March 31, 2015 to: Margaret Stallings Executive Director, NASPGHAN 4

5 Direct questions to: PO Box 6 Flourtown, PA Phone: (215) Fax: (215) address: mstallings@naspghan.org Athos Bousvaros MD, MPH Associate Director, IBD Center Boston Children s Hospital GI Division Hunnewell Building, Ground Floor 300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA Phone athos.bousvaros@childrens.harvard.edu 5